The winning bidder will be responsible for installing high capacity signaling (HCS) throughout the Metro Tunnel on the Sunbury-Pakenham line. This announcement was made less than a week after the Andrews Labor Government announced the High Capacity Metro Train (HCMT) project as part of the State’s Rolling Stock Strategy.

“The world’s best have been shortlisted to deliver the biggest and most advanced signaling package in Victoria’s history. The successful bidder will install next generation signalling, which will allow safer, more frequent and reliable services in and out of the city in peak hour,” Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said.

The high capacity signaling system will allow trains to safely operate faster and closer together, which means more trains and a decrease in travel time for commuters. With this advanced technology, Metro Tunnel can run up to 30 services in an hour and potentially have a ‘turn-up-and-go’ two-minute service similar to the train services in some of the biggest cities internationally.

“The Andrews Labor Government is delivering the Metro Tunnel, removing dangerous and congested level crossings and building bigger, better trains to get people home safer and sooner every day,” Minister Jacinta Allan said.

A world-leading Centre of Excellence is going to be established in Victoria as part of this major transport project. This Centre of Excellence will be able to support local skills, jobs and opportunities in the developing communications and rail signalling industries.

“The Centre for Excellence will provide skills, jobs and opportunities to local workers in the growing rail signaling industry,” Minister Jacinta Allan said.

The two shortlisted consortia are now asked to submit a formal proposal by early 2017. The successful consortium is expected to be announced later that same year.